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Volume 15, Issue 1

September 30, 2020

Maize Middle School News

Principal's Message

Good afternoon,

Welcome to Maize Middle School! We are excited to have everyone here, even though it looks so much different than any other year. It is hard to believe that we are in our fourth week of school and we have only seen our students seven times in person. The students and teachers are making the most of this situation and doing a great job.

We are continuously reflecting and making changes along the way. We are definitely pleased that the state decided to forgo the learning logs as that was a cumbersome task for students, parents, and teachers. We do continue to have our daily check-in for students on their remote days. Please make sure your student attends their Encor teacher’s Zoom meeting on their remote days at 2:05. The Encor teacher uses the Zoom meeting as the student’s remote day attendance.

Once again, our enrollment is way up with the largest group we have ever had. The 6th grade is the largest with approximately 380 and a total enrollment of over 1,000 students. The growth has brought some challenges but with the hybrid schedule, it seems to be working. We have hired some additional staff to help with class sizes and have had to use every available space for classrooms. Currently, we have two temporary classrooms located in the library along with other make-shift classrooms. Thanks to the awesome community support and passing of the bond, we will be addressing our space and overcrowding issue with two new 5th/6th grade buildings, which are planned to open in August 2021.

At MMS we are committed to the process of Capturing Kids’ Hearts. I believe we have to “Reach them before we can teach them” and this process helps all staff be intentional about building relationships with students. Especially during this unusual time, connecting with our students is paramount. It also empowers our students to be self-managing. Our goal is for Maize Middle School to be a safe place where all students feel welcome. Capturing Kids’ Hearts helps us accomplish this goal. Our teachers are greeting students at the door, asking about “good things” in their lives, building social contracts, launching students with a meaningful concept, etc. Our hope is that these things will make MMS feel like a “home away from home.” We are looking forward to a wonderful 2020-2021 school year.

We have reviewed our Eagle Expectations and give those reminders throughout the year, and so far our students are doing a nice job of stepping up and following our Eagle Expectations. The Eagle Expectations are: Be Respectful, Be Responsible/Learner, Be Safe, Be Friendly. Even the students that fall short of our expectations we will take time to work with them to help them meet those expectations. Feel free to encourage your child to meet our expectations daily.

We have several new teachers this year and I want to take a moment to introduce the many new faces joining the MMS family.

· Paige Hill-Assistant Principal

· Kim Wise-6th Reading

· Fred Rosas-6th English

· Adrienne O’Grady-6th Reading/English Improvement

· Shelby Shearon-7th/8th Science

· Sarah McCormick-8th ELA

· Margo Coltrane-7th ELA

· Shelley Crawford-7th/8th Math

· Travis Grover-7th Physical Fitness

· Nicole Vulgamore-6th IR/IS English

· Amy Herman-6th/7th IR/IS Math

· Dana Setchell-7th/8th IR/IS Math

· Melissa May-7th IR/IS Math/ELA

· Mackenzie Wright- MMS Instructional Para

· Sara Smith- MMS Instructional Para

· Bryan Barton- MMS Instructional Para

If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to drop by my office, call me at school, or e-mail me.

Once again, we are looking forward to a wonderful 2020-2021 school year. GO EAGLES!!

Have a great day!

Brian

Make Today Matter

Counselor's Corner

Hello Eagles!

We are so excited to be back in the building with our students. For those new to the building, Welcome to Maize Middle School! We truly feel it is an awesome place to be and are here to help with any transitional questions or concerns. We encourage parents that would like to see us to set up an appointment. Students may request to see us through the Maize Bookmarks link on their Chromebook. Looking forward to a great year!

Caitlin Hamilton Letters A-L [email protected]

Meghan Ugues Letters M-Z [email protected]

Student Enrichment Grants

Here is an attachment that gives an overview of the application process and some details about what types of activities are eligible.

Two important things for you to remember:

All applications are online (no paper submission). A hyperlink is embedded in the pdf, or students may visit our website for details and to begin their application.
Our website is not the same as the district website. Our url is www.maizeeducationfoundation.org.

Click on the link below for an overview.

Student Enrichment Grants

To Go Meals for Remote-Learning Days at NO Charge

School meals are available for student pickup in the cafeteria or at the athletics concession stand immediately following end-of-day dismissal. Meals are intended to be taken home, refrigerated, and consumed on the day(s) the student is learning from home. The menu for these meals can be found online or in the Nutrislice app.

Mondays/Tuesdays - pickup meals will contain 2 breakfast meals & 2 lunch meals

Thursdays/Fridays - pickup meals will contain 1 breakfast meal & 1 lunch meal

Students may opt in or out at any time; however an RSVP is highly encouraged to help determine how many To Go Meals to prepare. RSVP for October To Go Meals now.

We look forward to serving your student!

Maize USD 266

Food Service Department

316.722.0900

[email protected]”

Attendance/Tardies

Attendance Counts:

Regular attendance is necessary to fully realize the benefits of educational opportunities. Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes throughout the year. The responsibility of school attendance is with the student and his/her parents. Parents/guardians should notify the school via our attendance line in the event the student will be absent. Excused absences include illness verified by a doctor, appointments with a doctors note, school sponsored activities, funerals or administrative approved absences. Due to the pandemic, parents are encouraged to provide a doctors note for appointments and illnesses.

Nurse's Corner

October 2020 Newsletter

Happy Fall Maize Families!

We have been busy going over health histories and updating immunizations- along with caring for the students who need our help while they are at school.

We are working hard in the Health Office making sure all students are up to date with their immunizations. As you are reading this, ALL students SHOULD be compliant!. If you know that your student is NOT compliant, please call me immediately. The district cut off date is October 1. After that date, students may be excluded from classes until they are compliant.

Along with the Covid Pandemic, flu season is fast approaching. Please be sure to do the daily self assessment for your student. If there are any signs of illness or fever, PLEASE have them stay home. This is more important than ever! Be sure to encourage good handwashing, plenty of rest and fluids!

If you are able and would like to help us out with supplies this year, we did put together a “wish list”. Here is the Health Office’s wish list in case anyone is interested!

Shelley Funk RN

Phone 316-350-2308

Email [email protected]

Student Council

Student Council got to attend a virtual regional conference on September 24th. We gained great insight and ideas, and enjoyed spending time together. We are excited to serve MMS this year!

Dates For October

Thursday, 10/1

*7/8 Football vs. MSMS @ MHS, 5/6:15

*7th Volleyball vs. Derby N & Andover, 5:00

*8th Volleyball @ Derby N w/Andover, 5:00

Monday, 10/5

*7/8 B Team Football vs. MSMS @ MHS, 5:00/6:15

Tuesday, 10/6

*MMS Spirit Night Chick-Fil-A, 3:00-10:00

*Girls Tennis @ Derby MS, 3:30

*Cross Country @ Mulvane, 4:00

Thursday, 10/8

*7th Volleyball @ Andover Central w/ Eisenhower, 5:00

*8th Volleyball vs. Andover Central w/Eisenhower, 5:00

*7/8 Football @ Valley Center, 5/6:15

Friday, 10/9

*Girls Tennis @ Derby, 3:30

Monday, 10/12

*Columbus Day

*7th Volleyball @ Goddard w/Derby, 5:00

*8th Volleyball @ Derby w/Goddard, 5:00

*7/8 B team Football vs. McPherson @ MMS FB Field, 5:00/6:15

Tuesday, 10/13

*Girls Tennis @ MSMS, 3:30

Thursday, 10/15

*7/8 Football @ Derby, 5:00/6:15

Monday, 10/19

*Football B Team @ Eisenhower, 5:00

Thursday, 10/22

*Fall Pictures Taken

Friday, 10/23

*Fall Pictures Taken

From the MMS Front Office

To help the Front Office of MMS run as smooth, friendly and efficiently as possible and communicate important information, please be aware and reminded of the following processes:

Front Office Hours:

6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

When your student is absent:

Please call 729-2464 and leave a message with the students name (and spelling)
Provide a reason for the absence (ill, out of town, appointment, etc.)
If you plan to have your student out of school for 3 or more days stop by the MMS office to pick up an administrative approval form

When dropping off something for a student:

Please have it labeled with their first/last name
Checks/Cash in envelopes with student name
Front office is not responsible for any items left for students

When you have to leave a message for your student:

Please call 729-2464
Provide your student's name/spelling
Concisely state your message
Your student will be notified through instant messaging with the teacher, or a note will be delivered wither 4th hour or Encor through an office aide
Messages must be received 30 minutes prior to dismissal

Students will not be called out of class and to the office until a parent or guardian is present to sign them out. Our goal in the Front Office is to not disrupt classrooms except in the case of an emergency.

Transportation-Did you know?

Busing FYI

If your student will be riding home with a friend, a signed note by the parents and building administration of both your child and your child's friend is to be given to the driver when the bus is boarded.

Administrative Excuse Form

Please notify the front office if your student will be out of school for 3 or more days in a row. The office has an administrative excuse form for the student to have all of his/her teachers sign for requesting homework while not in attendance.

Are You Moving?

If you are moving out of district, please contact Shelley Lambert , MMS Registrar/Data Secretary, at [email protected] or by phone at 729-2464. Please include the new school, city and state you will be transferring to so we can prepare your students records for transfer.

If you have moved or will be moving, but are still in district, please send a Proof of Residency to the MMS office as soon as possible. You can email it to [email protected], or fax it to our office at 316-729-2479.

A utility bill is preferred, but a mortgage/lease agreement can be temporarily accepted. If you have any questions regarding Proof of Residence, please don't hesitate to call the MMS office.

Dillon's Community Rewards

We're giving away $2 MILLION to local organizations!

Where Shopping and Giving Come Together!

Use your Plus Shopper's Card & help us grow!

Supporting our organization has never been easier-just shop at

Dillons and scan your Plus Shopper's Card!

Here's how to enroll:

Visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards
Scroll down to find your location and click "Enroll Now"
Sign in to your online account, or create an account.
Find and select our organization, and click "Save"

You'll start earning rewards for our organization right away on qualifying purchases made using your Plus Shopper's Card!

Everyone must enroll in the Reward Program. This is necessary in order for purchases throughout 2019 to credit Maize Middle School. Sign-in and make your contribution selection using this new 5 digit NPO number, NI311.

Homework Request

When your student is absent from school and you would like to pick up homework, you must request it by 10:00 a.m. The MMS office will only put the request in when a student has been out for two days in a row. All homework will be in the office after 2:00 p.m.

Thank you.